New batteries: opinions

[01Crewcab7.3]

Sadly I have to fork out some dough for some new batteries so I think I might go with the Optima Red Tops. Any other suggestions or opinions on a better battery/price? Looking at $200 a piece. Thanks for any input.

[ttyR2]

I'm a fan of Interstate batteries.

[2003kingranch]

I bought a set of duralast golds 1000 ca a piece. made a huge difference. must be pretty good battery's i left my cab lights on all day on a job. didn't notice until dark. she still started. and they have a pretty descent warranty. think they were only $104 a piece.

but then again this is the first new set of battery's the truck has ever had. the oem fords went 7 years and 8 months in my truck. but they are slightly more expensive at $140 a piece if i remember right and 850 cca

[..::ryan::..]

I went with motorcraft 850 CCA as the stock ones I had lasted a good 6+ years and every says they are some of the best batteries. Got them for $110 a piece

[NCHornet]

Originally Posted by 2003kingranch

I bought a set of duralast golds 1000 ca a piece. made a huge difference. must be pretty good battery's i left my cab lights on all day on a job. didn't notice until dark. she still started. and they have a pretty descent warranty. think they were only $104 a piece.

but then again this is the first new set of battery's the truck has ever had. the oem fords went 7 years and 8 months in my truck. but they are slightly more expensive at $140 a piece if i remember right and 850 cca

Sorry Charlie, that is 1000 CA and 850 CCA , CA don't mean a thing, it is the 850 number ( CCA ) you want to compare. Min for the 7.3 is 825 CCA. The Gold's were Consumer Reports best pick for batteries 6 years ago when they were $79. Mine lasted 3 years and one day, I kid you not, FREE replacement stopped after 36 months and then went pro rated. Thank goodness the manager at Auto Zone had more sense than the idiot behind the counter ringing me up. My stock batteries lasted 6 years, but the stock ones were $100 a pop. The last time I looked the Gold's were well over $100 now so I would go back to OEM. Make sure you ask for OEM otherwise Ford will give you whatever they want. Always replace both batteries at the same time. Ultima's are good for off roading, otherwise they are a total waist of money, ( flame suit on ).

[Dave]

Dont waste your time with the red tops. You will replace them in two years.

Definitely dont waste your time with interstates. They have been total junk for about the last decade

[Dave]

If you want a good heavy battery look here

ODYSSEY Batteries - Automotive Specifications

[Term3]

A large battery only store up here no longer carry Optima batteries due to their extremely high warranty returns. The guy told me they even die on their shelving. He would get them in for me if I real wanted them but he highly recommended NOT to buy the brand.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Term3

A large battery only store up here no longer carry Optima batteries due to their extremely high warranty returns. The guy told me they even die on their shelving. He would get them in for me if I real wanted them but he highly recommended NOT to buy the brand.

Optimas are junk.

The ones I linked above are deep cycles like optimas but much much better quality.

[ToMang07]

I have Die-Hard Gold's from Sears, and am VERY happy with them so far! 880CCA, and a AWESOME warranty!